March 2016 The Cabinet Secretariat The Government of Japan 1 Annual Report 2015 Japan's Actions against Piracy off the Coast of Somalia and in the Gulf of Aden
Somalia and the Surroundings (off the Coast of Somalia and the Gulf of Aden) Importance of the Gulf of Aden for Japan Japan depends, 99.6% of its trade volume, on maritime transportation, therefore, the navigational safety is the key for the daily life of its people as well as for its economy. The Gulf of Aden is one of the vital shipping lanes for Japan, since it connects Asia with Europe via the Suez canal where 17,000 vessels pass annually. Furthermore, since approximately 13% of the world container cargos and 740,000 exported vehicles (approximately 16% of all the exported ones) from Japan were transported through the Gulf of Aden in 2015, the safety of merchant vessels is still one of the urgent and critical issues for Japan. Gulf of Aden One of the Vital Shipping Lanes for Japan Which Connects Asia with Europe via the Suez Canal 2015 Annual Passage of Japan-Related Vessels* through the Gulf of Aden *Japanese flag vessels and foreign flag vessels operated by Japanese shipping companies Approx.1,600 Vessels Suez Canal 14% 9% 39% Gulf of Aden Somalia Gulf of Aden Japan Approx.12,000km (Approx. 6,500nm) 12% 26% Pure Car Carriers Chemical Tankers Others Container Carriers LNG Tankers 2
Piracy Incidents off the Coast of Somalia and in the Gulf of Aden According to the ICC-IMB*, No Somali piracy incidents were reported in 2015. 500 450 400 (Number of incidents) 445 410 445 439 World Somali Pirates 2008 2009 350 335 370 329 300 250 200 276 239 263 293 218 297 219 237 264 245 246 2010 2011 150 100 111 50 0 20 18 21 75 22 12 48 15 51 11 0 200120022003200420052006200720082009201020112012201320142015(Year) 2012 2013 Japan remains concerned about the continuing threat posed by piracy off the coast of Somalia and in the Gulf of Aden. Although a marked reduction has been seen in the number of attacks and hijackings in 2012, Japan observes that the underlying causes of piracy remain in place, and the current decline is inherently reversible. 2012 2014 =Hijacked =Boarded 2015 =Fired upon =Attempted Attack =Suspicious vessel (*ICC INTERNATIONAL MARITIME BUREAU) 3
Japan's Actions against Piracy off the Coast of Somalia and in the Gulf of Aden The Counter-Piracy Operation by the JSDF and the JCG Act on Special Measures Concerning the Guarding of Japanese Ships in Pirate-Infested Waters The Counter-Piracy Operation by the Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF) and the Japan Coast Guard (JCG) (See Overview on Page 6) In March 2009, after receiving the approval of the Prime Minister based on the Cabinet decision under the provisions of Article 82 of the SDF Act, the Minister of Defense gave the order for Maritime Security Operations in order to protect Japan-related vessels from acts of piracy in the waters off the coast of Somalia and in the Gulf of Aden. Following this order, two Japanese destroyers departed from Japan and began escorting Japan-related vessels in the same month. Moreover, to conduct more effective counter-piracy operations over an extensive marine area, the other order was given in May 2009 to dispatch two P-3C patrol aircraft, and these aircraft commenced warning and surveillance activities in the Gulf of Aden in June of the same year. In view of United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, Japan subsequently enacted the Act concerning the Punishment of Acts of Piracy and Measures to Deal with Acts of Piracy (the Anti-Piracy Measures Act) in July 2009 in order to deal appropriately and effectively with acts of piracy. In July 2013, Japan decided to participate in the CTF151 to commence socalled zone defense* in addition to escort missions as before, while coordinating closely with the units of other countries that are engaged in counter-piracy operations, for the purpose of conducting more flexible and effective operations each others. Following this, the surface force started zone defense in Dec. 2013. In addition, the air force has been participating in the CTF151 since Feb. 2014. *Stationing in certain waters to protect navigating vessels The JSDF s Destroyers and its P-3C on Warning and Surveillance Activities 4
Japan has deployed two destroyers, one of which is in principle escorting civilian vessels back and forth across the Gulf of Aden. The other destroyer is conducting Zone Defense in the designated marine area within the Gulf of Aden. The direct escort method firstly places the destroyer and private vessels to be escorted as a convoy at the assembly point, one each designated at the eastern and western ends of the Gulf. When the convoy sails across the Gulf of Aden, the destroyer guards the one. In this way, the ships take around two days to sail the 900km or so distance across the Gulf of Aden, all the while making absolutely certain that the convoy is safe and secure, day and night. Moreover, there are eight JCG officers aboard the destroyers and the JSDF cooperates with the JCG to enable them to conduct judicial law enforcement activities, as required. (See Outline on Page 7) In addition, the maritime patrol aircraft (P-3Cs) based in the Republic of Djibouti make use of their excellent cruising capability in conducting warning and surveillance activities in the vast area of the Gulf of Aden. The flight zone is determined, based on coordination with the CTF151 headquarters. Since commencing duties in June 2009, their aircraft have flown 1,475 missions as of Dec. 31 2015, and their flying hours total 11,360 hours. Approximately 122,500 ships have been identified and information has been provided to vessels navigating the area and other countries engaging in counter-piracy operations on around 11,580 occasions. Moreover, a JSDF officer served as a CTF 151 commander from May to August in 2015. No other members of the JSDF have ever served as a commander of a multinational force since the foundation of the JSDF. It is believed that this will enable Japan to further contribute to peace and stability in the international community. The JSDF s P-3Cs on Warning and Surveillance Activities Rear Admiral Mr. Ito, the first Commander from the JSDF to the CTF151 with H.E. Mr. Faure, Vice-President of the Republic of Seychelles 5
Overview of the Counter-Piracy Operation of Japan (Defense of Japan 2014) 6
Outline of the Escorted Vessels and Seafarers As of Dec. 31 2015, 3640 vessels have been escorted under the protection of the JSDF s destroyers. Not a single vessel has come to any harm from pirates and these vessels have all passed safely across the Gulf of Aden. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism(MLIT) of Japan provides a single contact point for coordination with the JSDF s escort. Escort Results of 2015 Japan-Affiliated Vessels : Japanese flag vessels, foreign flag vessels operated by Japanese shipping companies, other vessels that any Japanese board or that the MLIT of Japan regards to be related to Japan 7
Act on Special Measures Concerning the Guarding of Japanese Ships in Pirate-Infested Waters (Act No.75 of 2013, Enacted on Nov. 13 2013, Enforced on Nov. 30 2013) The number of piracy incidents in the Gulf of Aden rapidly increased in 2008, and spread to the Indian Ocean later. Under these circumstances, it became common among major maritime countries that Privately Contracted Armed Security Personnel(PCASP) were on-board of their flag vessels. These PCASP contributed to decrease of attacks by Somali pirates. However, under Japanese laws, it was prohibited to employ PCASP on Japanese flag vessels. Therefore, the Act on Special Measures Concerning the Guarding of Japanese Ships in Pirate-Infested Waters was enforced on Nov. 30 2013 to ensure the security of Japanese flag vessels by PCASP. Under the Act, PCASP that is confirmed by the Minister of the MLIT of Japan can guard Japanese flag vessels in the Pirate-Infested Waters based on the Designated Guarding Plan authorized by the Minister of the MLIT of Japan. Overview of the Act (1) Applicable sea areas : Pirate-infested waters as shown in the map Applicable vessels : High risk Japanese flag vessels prone to piracy (2) Ship owners, seeking to protect their vessels by PCASP, shall submit, for each vessel, a Designated Guarding Plan(DGP) specifying any Private Maritime Security Companies (PMSC), implementation method of guarding, etc., and shall obtain the authorization from the Minister of the MLIT of Japan. (3) The ship owners, before they implement their DGPs, shall obtain confirmation from the Minister of the MLIT of Japan that both of the PMSC and the PCASP meet all the requirements stipulated by the Act. Pirate-Infested Waters 8
Joint Counter-Piracy Exercise with EU NAVFOR In March 2015, the JSDF s destroyer Harusame conducted the 4 th joint counter-piracy exercise in communication, tactical movement, and takeoff and landing of helicopters on the destroyers with the German Navy destroyer Bayern of the European Union Naval Force (EU NAVFOR) Somalia-Operation Atalanta in the Gulf of Aden. This joint exercise followed an agreement between EU and Japanese leaders during the 22nd Japan-EU summit in Brussels in May 2014. with EU NAVFOR Joint Counter-Piracy Exercise with Naval Forces from CTF151 The JSDF s counter-piracy units have conducted joint exercises with their counterparts from various countries to CTF151. Joint Counter-Piracy Exercise with the Pakistan Navy In March 2015, the JSDF s destroyer Harusame carried out a joint counter-piracy exercises in communication, tactical movement with the destroyer Tariq of the Pakistan Navy from CTF151 in the Gulf of Aden. Joint Counter-Piracy Exercise with the Turkish Naval Forces with the Pakistan Navy In Dec. 2015, the JSDF s destroyer Suzunami carried out a bilateral joint counter-piracy exercise in tactical skills and logistic operations with the frigate Gemlic of the Turkish Naval Forces from CTF151 in the Gulf of Aden. Joint Counter-Piracy Exercise with the Republic of Korea Navy In Dec. 2015, the JSDF s destroyer Suzunami carried out a bilateral joint counter-piracy exercise in close with the destroyer Choe Yeong of the Republic of Korea Navy from CTF151 in the Gulf of Aden. with the Turkish Naval Forces 9
Japan s Financial and Technical Cooperation to Tackle Piracy Assistance to Somalia Total Assistance to Somalia (2007-2014 Fiscal Year): US$371.37 million Japan considers the stability of Somalia is absolutely critical for ensuring human security as well as for the fundamental resolution of terrorism and piracy, which threaten the security of international community. From this point of view, Japan has been implementing in Somalia through international organizations, necessary assistance for responses to the humanitarian crisis and for stability over the medium to long term in the sectors such as public security, humanitarian assistance, and infrastructure development since 2007, and thus Japan will continue to assist Somalia with the three pillars of 1) Recovery of Basic Social Services, 2)Improvement of the Capability of Security Institutions, and 3)Revitalization of Domestic Industries. Recovery of Basic Social Services: US$267.13million Food aid, Water supplies, Public health, Education, Basic infrastructure development Provision for anti human trafficking and illegal migration Repair of ports and harbors Improvement of the Capability of Security Institutions: US$87.79million Assistance to Somali police Assistance to enhance migration management Collection and destruction of small arms and light weapons in the Horn of Africa Assistance to AMISOM (African Union Mission in Somalia) Revitalization of Domestic Industries: US$16.44million Vocational training, Employment generation Repair of roads Handing over ceremony of vehicles to Somali Police Force Handing over ceremony of patrol vessels to Djibouti Coast Guard Assistance for the Improvement of Regional Countries Capacities for Maritime Security Contributing US$14.60million to the IMO Djibouti Code Trust Fund (a Japan-initiated multidonor trust fund) for capacity-building in Somalia and its neighboring countries, and US$4.50 million to the Trust Fund to Support Initiative of States countering pirates off the coast of Somalia for the purpose of prosecution of suspected pirates Providing patrol vessels and technical assistance to the Djibouti Coast Guard for improvement of its capacities for maritime security and also conducting trainings for coast guards of other countries in the region Maritime Crime Investigation Training Course 10